Impending Deadlines, Appropriate Celebrations, and Other Bullets

Nov 15, 2016

The Littlest Girl is right there on the cusp of her first intentional smile. I know it. I can tell. But she’s just not quite there. I’m not saying it’s a race between me and The Wife to be the first one to get it, but I’m also not saying I wouldn’t love to make her smile. She is exactly two months old today, and is a sweetheart.

The qualifying offer deadline stuff has now passed, but more deadlines loom. If you never checked out the offseason road map of dates and deadlines and explanations (or if you did and you’ve since forgotten what’s coming), give it a look this morning to catch up. There’s a big deadline coming this Friday regarding the Cubs’ 40-man roster and protecting prospects from the Rule 5 Draft.

Ken Rosenthal has an awesome read on Mike Montgomery, his appearance in Game Seven, and his reaction to getting the final out of the World Series. Among the bits, Montgomery was so unsure of what to do after that final out that, because he hadn’t gone to grab catcher Miguel Montero, he later sought out Montero on the plane to make sure he hadn’t breached some rules of etiquette. Montgomery also talks about his mixed feelings on being traded to the Cubs in the first place. Great read.

[adinserter block=”1″]

Manager of the Year awards are handed out tonight, with Joe Maddon one of the finalists in the National League. Most folks expect, though, that Dave Roberts will get the nod for what he did with an injury-ravaged Dodgers club. Yes, they had the huge payroll, but how they stayed competitive despite basically everyone being hurt all the time, especially on the pitching side, is really impressive.

Matt Trueblood writes about ‘Go Cubs Go’ and the man behind the song.

As the Tribune notes, Iowa Cubs hitting coach Brian Harper has departed in favor of the Tigers organization.

Wayne Epps looks at the best seasons ever that did not result in an MVP award. The impetus, obviously, is the concern that Mike Trout will once again not win the MVP later this week, for reasons that are … not convincing. Sammy Sosa’s 2001 season shows up 10th on the list, as you may recall that he was ridiculous that year, but it was also the season that Barry Bonds hit 73.

Check in on the Chris Sale rumors that seem to have blown up in the past 24 hours, if you missed it.

A fun note on Yoenis Cespedes’s trade history:

Yoenis Cespedes has been traded for the 2016 AL Rookie of the Year, and potentially the 2016 AL Cy Young & 2016 NL Cy Young Award winners pic.twitter.com/fbjfnkoAzt
— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) November 14, 2016

[adinserter block=”2″]

MLB is experimenting with new baseballs in the Arizona Fall League, which is often a testing ground for possible game changes. Though the balls are purportedly different only in their tackiness, it is an interesting thing, given the theory out there that some of the dramatic spike in homers this year could be tied to the baseball.

This may have been lost in the playoff shuffle to you, but it’s insane and hilarious, so you’ll forgive me if you’ve already seen it: a Japanese player tried to hit VERY fast pitches off of a machine, up to 186(!) miles per hour. Yes, the results are just silly.

The Wife surprised me and the kiddos with a Cubs championship activity book from Amazon, and it was especially fun to watch The Little Girl trying to spell out the name of her favorite player, Addison Russell. You totally would have been able to tell that’s who she was writing. (She must like critical homers and incredible catches. Smart girl.)

If you’re into the Aliens franchise, every movie in that family (including ‘Prometheus,’ which I thought was awesome, come at me, bro) is in a cheap bundle at Amazon today ($34.99 on Blu-ray, $27.99 on DVD).

[adinserter block=”3″]

written by

Brett Taylor

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 3, Mets 1 – April 29, 2024

The Chicago Cubs didn't have a hit until the 8th inning tonight. And they finished the game with just three hits total. BUT ONE OF THOSE HITS WAS A GO-AHEAD ... GAME-WINNING ... TWO-RUN HOME RUN for Christopher Morel off...

Michael Cerami

Apr 29, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Watch Christopher Morel Hit a Ninth-Inning, GAME-WINNING Homer off Edwin Diaz

The Cubs made it seven full innings before recording their first hit of the night tonight in what was looking like their third consecutive brutal loss. But after they pushed a run across the board in the 8th, their luck...

Michael Cerami

Apr 29, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Mets (6:10 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs have still not lost more than two games in a row this season. But that streak is at risk tonight, with Mets starter Luis Severino on the mound for the series opener at Citi...

Michael Cerami

Apr 29, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pitchers Have Moved on to a New Plan of Attack Against Michael Busch (And So Far, It’s Working)

Over his first 19 games (74 PAs), Michael Busch was one of the hottest hitters on the planet: .328/.405/.656 (190 wRC+), including three doubles, six homers, and nine walks. But in the seven games and 29 plate appearances since, he's...

Michael Cerami

Apr 29, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLBits: Senzel Blasts Two, Judge’s Slide, Rays City Connect Uniforms, More

When it rains, it pours. Just ask the Marlins. On Sunday, they watched their seven-run lead melt away, thanks to two Nick Senzel home runs (and another hot day at the dish for Jacob Young), as their losing streak moved...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 29, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Happy Lee Elia Day! The Managerial Rant to End All Managerial Rants

The Chicago Cubs have, unfortunately, had some bad starts over the years, and late-April is not always a still-hopeful time for the team's fans, as it is this year. Consider the team and the situation back on this day in...

Brett Taylor

Apr 29, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Catching Prospect Pablo Aliendo Getting Some Love

When I saw that The Athletic had written up 20 "underrated" prospects with a Chicago Cubs tag, I just assumed the prospect was going to be Jefferson Rojas, and I was going to mutter to myself that it's pretty silly...

Brett Taylor

Apr 29, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | April 29, 2024: Weekend Wrap

Kevin Alcántara cooled off over the weekend while the rest of Tennessee's offense followed suit. Thankfully for the Smokies, they were able to sprinkle a Cade Horton gem in there on Saturday. That and more in today's Cubs Farm Report....

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 29, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Staying East: Cubs vs Mets Series Preview

Cubs vs Mets — The Cubs are starting a fresh four-game series tonight in New York against the Mets. And, of course, they'll do it without Justin Steele, Jordan Wicks, Kyle Hendricks, Cody Bellinger, Seiya Suzuki, or Julian Merryweather. A...

Michael Cerami

Apr 29, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Riding the Roller Coaster, Cubs Optimism on Wicks, Pinch-Hitting for Mervis, and Other Cubs Bullets

This weekend sure was a roller coaster, eh? We were riding high Friday night, with a convincing win against the Red Sox following a series sweep of the Astros. But just 48-hours after that, the Cubs had lost twice (once...

Michael Cerami

Apr 29, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Watch Christopher Morel Hit a Ninth-Inning, GAME-WINNING Homer off Edwin Diaz

Michael Cerami

Apr 29, 2024

How to Watch

Mets vs. Cubs: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The New York Mets (14-13), with Sean Manaea on the hill, host the Chicago Cubs (17-11) who will counter with Javier Assad, at 7:10 PM ET on Tuesday in a series opener.Keep reading to see how to watch the New...

Data Skrive

Apr 29, 2024

How to Watch

Blue Jays vs. Royals: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

On Tuesday, Daulton Varsho and the Toronto Blue Jays (14-15) play Salvador Perez and the Kansas City Royals (17-12), with first pitch scheduled for 7:07 PM ET at Rogers Centre.Find out how to watch the Toronto-Kansas City matchup below.When is...

Data Skrive

Apr 29, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Twins vs. White Sox: Live Stream or on TV

The Minnesota Twins (14-13), with Simeon Woods Richardson on the hill, visit the Chicago White Sox (6-22) who will hand the ball to Mike Soroka, at 7:40 PM ET on Tuesday in a series opener.Keep reading to find out how...

Data Skrive

Apr 29, 2024

How to Watch

Astros vs. Guardians: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

On Tuesday at 8:10 PM ET, Kyle Tucker and the Houston Astros (9-19) take on Jose Ramirez and the Cleveland Guardians (19-9) at Minute Maid Park.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for TV and streaming options for...

Data Skrive

Apr 29, 2024

How to Watch

Yankees vs. Orioles: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The New York Yankees (19-10), who will give the ball to Nestor Cortes Jr., visit the Baltimore Orioles (17-10) with Dean Kremer on the hill, Tuesday at 6:35 PM ET.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to...

Data Skrive

Apr 29, 2024

How to Watch

Giants vs. Red Sox: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The San Francisco Giants (14-15), led by Michael Conforto, visit Tyler O'Neill and the Boston Red Sox (16-13) on Tuesday at 7:10 PM ET.Keep reading to find out how to watch the San Francisco-Boston matchup in the article below.When is...

Data Skrive

Apr 29, 2024

NBA Picks

Knicks vs. 76ers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 5 – Tuesday, April 30, 2024

The New York Knicks bring a 3-1 series record into a decisive Game 5 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. The Knicks are favored by 4 points in the matchup, which airs on TNT at 7:00 PM ET....

Data Skrive

Apr 29, 2024

Picks

Jonas Valančiūnas Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Thunder – NBA Playoffs Game 4, Monday, April 29, 2024

The New Orleans Pelicans face the Oklahoma City Thunder at 8:30 PM ET on Monday, in Game 4 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and one of the 3-pointer props available for this clash requires only one trifecta...

Data Skrive

Apr 29, 2024

Picks

Miami Marlins vs. Colorado Rockies Series April 30 – May 2: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

On Tuesday, April 30 at 6:40 PM ET, a three-game series between the Miami Marlins and the visiting Colorado Rockies will begin.Marlins vs. Rockies Series Info Rockies @ Marlins Time: Tuesday, April 30 at 6:40 PM ET Rockies Starting Pitcher:...

Data Skrive

Apr 29, 2024

Impending Deadlines, Appropriate Celebrations, and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular